The Seattle Reign and Portland Thorns faced off in the first of four meetings during the 2016 NWSL season. Portland entered the game as one of two unbeaten teams left in the league and Seattle came in looking to rebound from a disappointing game last Sunday in Orlando.
After a scoreless first half, the Thorns got on the board first in the 47th minute on a goal from Nadia Nadim. Just three minutes later, Beverly Yanez leveled the score off of a corner. That is how the score would remain, 1-1. For the first time in their history, a game between these two teams ended in a draw.
For the first time on the young season, Carson Pickett found herself out of the starting lineup. That only lasted for about five minutes as Melon Melis injured her left knee early in the game. Pickett was inserted in for the injured Melis and found herself playing on the left wing and she looked really good doing it. People sometimes forgot she had 22 assists in college.
The first half saw a lot of Seattle controlling the game and possession. Portland looked content to sit back and try to hit Seattle on the wings to create space for their midfield. Portland's really only good chance in the first half came when Nadim got behind the Reign defense. Seattle goalkeeper Hope Solo came out to challenge her just as she took her shot. Fortunately for the Reign, her shot went just wide of goal.
Second half brings new energy
The second off started off with a bang, In the 47th minute, a ball was sent into the box. Seattle defender Lauren Barnes tried to box out Nadim to allow Solo to come out and collect the ball. Solo appeared hesitant and Nadim took her opportunity. He rose about Barnes and headed the ball past Solo just as she tried to punch the ball clear.
Portland’s lead didn’t last long. In the 50th minute, Barnes sent in a corner that found the head of Yanez. Her header went towards goal and deflected off the face of goalkeeper Adrianna Franch and into the upper netting to tie the score at 1-1.
Things get physical in Seattle
From that point on, there were a lot of hard fouls given. It took until the 87th minute for the match to see its first yellow card and that was given to Lindsay Horan after a rough challenge. Late in the game, Elli Reed took a hard challenge from Meagan Morris. It appeared that Morris’ shoulder made contact with Reed. Reed was down for a few minutes after being attended to Seattle’s training staff.
Yanez also took a hard challenge early in the second half. It was nothing malicious but it appeared that she took an elbow to the face.
After four minutes of stoppage time, the referee signaled the end to this physical Cascadia match. As the officials left the field, it appeared that Portland’s supporters group, Rose City Riveters, were showing their displeasure with the way the game was called.
For her efforts off having to come into the game so early in the match and play out of position, Carson Pickett is our Player of the Game. Great game rookie.
Postgame quotes
Seattle manager Laura Harvey held nothing back in her postgame press conference as she voiced her displeasure with the official, “It was ridiculous. I thought the ref lost control of the game. I think everybody should look at Bev’s (Yanez) face. That challenge on Elli Reed can’t happen. That’s dangerous.”
Harvey continued; “When both teams come off the field unhappy with the official, you can tell that something is wrong.”
Portland manager Mark Parsons had “no comment” regarding how the game was officiated.
What’s next
Seattle will stay at home and take on the Chicago Red Stars next Sunday, May 22nd. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 pm ET. Portland will head one for the first time in a month and take on the Washington Spirit on Saturday, May 21st. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:00 pm ET.